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C6 K-Member Replacement

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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 06:13 PM
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Default C6 CrossMember Replacement

Still a relatively new owner, but hit a curb (median) at about 45 and apparently bent the crossmember at the lower control arm bushing mounting. The mechanic is telling me this could be a 10 hour job. Really doubt that I would try to tackle this myself, but my beautiful Vette has been on jack stands for almost a month. Thoughts or suggestions?

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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by DealmakerC6
Still a relatively new owner, but hit a curb (median) at about 45 and apparently bent the crossmember at the lower control arm bushing mounting. The mechanic is telling me this could be a 10 hour job. Really doubt that I would try to tackle this myself, but my beautiful Vette has been on jack stands for almost a month. Thoughts or suggestions?
Front or rear cradle? Rear is easier to change (or I think so), but both could be done at home given you have enough jacks and jack stands to do it with. If you broke the cradle then I would suggest replacing the control arms and checking the spindles to see if something was bent there too.....generally speaking they seem to go before the cradle does unless you just hit it right.
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 07:23 PM
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Front or rear? I can say for sure that the rear isn't a 10 hour job. I've never had the front all the way off.
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 07:29 PM
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front I would guess is 10 hours by the book, if done right, which means pulling the intake manifold to install a place to hook an engine hoist to secure the motor while you pull the cradle vs. simply putting a jack under the oil pan(I dont like this option). Plus lots of little **** on the front like the steering lines, cooler, etc... Everything little adds up.

The rear I have "heard" can be done under 2 hours.
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 07:38 PM
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Originally Posted by schpenxel
Front or rear? I can say for sure that the rear isn't a 10 hour job. I've never had the front all the way off.
It's the front. Looks like when I hit the median with the right front tire, i took a direct hit on the crossmember right at the front lower control arm bushing, and bent it maybe a quarter inch, but that's enough that i won't be able to get it aligned.
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 09:07 PM
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If you can find a new replacement cradle be prepared to pay about $1200.00.
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by schpenxel
Front or rear? I can say for sure that the rear isn't a 10 hour job. I've never had the front all the way off.
I've dropped mine several times for either an engine replacement or having to drop the pan for various reasons.

At most it shouldn't take more than 6 hours from start to finish. The cradle part would actually be the easiest compared to having to transfer over all the parts.
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 10:57 PM
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I'd be happy to lend a hand if you decide to tackle it yourself.
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Old Apr 30, 2016 | 02:36 AM
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Originally Posted by sevinn
I'd be happy to lend a hand if you decide to tackle it yourself.
I will do! Waiting to find out what my mechanic is going to say about cost. I found a used crossmember for $300 shipped, $877 plus shipping from Trunkmonkey for a new part. The radiator and cooling fan are out of the vehicle, so if i change plans on repairing myself, going to need to get it towed. Not a big deal, just looking to take minimum time off work.

Last edited by DealmakerC6; Apr 30, 2016 at 02:38 AM.
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Old Apr 30, 2016 | 03:09 AM
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Originally Posted by DealmakerC6
I will do! Waiting to find out what my mechanic is going to say about cost. I found a used crossmember for $300 shipped, $877 plus shipping from Trunkmonkey for a new part. The radiator and cooling fan are out of the vehicle, so if i change plans on repairing myself, going to need to get it towed. Not a big deal, just looking to take minimum time off work.
Honestly if the car is driveable at all it would be cheaper to just throw the rad in there and run it on distilled water to wherever you want to do the work than it would be to tow, but I understand that taking the time off work to do the work may cost you more than just paying someone to do it!

Just shoot me a message if you end up doing it yourself.
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Old Apr 30, 2016 | 07:23 AM
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Nice offer, Sevinn!
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Old Apr 30, 2016 | 09:17 PM
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Right? I love this board. Sevinn I'll definitely take you up on that offer if the mechanic's estimate is too high. I'm waiting on the cost estimate from the mechanic on Monday.
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Old May 1, 2016 | 01:49 AM
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Originally Posted by AORoads
Nice offer, Sevinn!
Originally Posted by DealmakerC6
Right? I love this board. Sevinn I'll definitely take you up on that offer if the mechanic's estimate is too high. I'm waiting on the cost estimate from the mechanic on Monday.

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Old May 4, 2016 | 10:34 AM
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FWIW I hope this repair does not spiral out of control.

For me it is hard to believe the damage is only that X-member.
Also hard to believe that his part would bend and not crack....yet that is pure speculation.

I'd first look to the control arms, hubs and frame area that the x-member and suspension bolts to.

Wishing you luck and an easy repair.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 01:54 AM
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Uploading from my phone. Crossmember is bent right where it allows the lower suspension bushing to mount.<br ><br >
Originally Posted by Kenny94945
FWIW I hope this repair does not spiral out of control.

For me it is hard to believe the damage is only that X-member.
Also hard to believe that his part would bend and not crack....yet that is pure speculation.

I'd first look to the control arms, hubs and frame area that the x-member and suspension bolts to.

Wishing you luck and an easy repair.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 02:08 AM
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Originally Posted by DealmakerC6
Uploading from my phone. Crossmember is bent right where it allows the lower suspension bushing to mount.<br ><br >
Hope I'm right and the crossmember took a direct hit at the bushing mount/alignment adjust point and that is the extent of the damage.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 10:11 AM
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upper control arm to me looks bent/twisted, but might be a visual illusion.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by rjacobs
upper control arm to me looks bent/twisted, but might be a visual illusion.
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Old May 7, 2016 | 04:26 PM
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Before I tore the car down to replace the cradle I would make very sure the cradle is the culprit. Its a very beefy component, especially compared to other front end components.
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Old May 9, 2016 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by sevinn
Honestly if the car is driveable at all it would be cheaper to just throw the rad in there and run it on distilled water to wherever you want to do the work than it would be to tow, but I understand that taking the time off work to do the work may cost you more than just paying someone to do it!

Just shoot me a message if you end up doing it yourself.
Sevinn, might be taking you up on that offer. Posting here to see if anyone has the 07 service manual, and could post a few relevant pages so I have an idea what I'm up against changing the crossmember at home.
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